Ghana’s national honours system, once a symbol of extraordinary achievement and service, is under scrutiny as concerns mount over its increasing use to recognize presidential appointees.
Lawyer Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, has called for reforms to safeguard the prestige and impartiality of awards like the Order of the Volta, one of Ghana’s highest honours.
The Legacy of the Order of the Volta
Instituted by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in 1960, the Order of the Volta was awarded sparingly to celebrate exceptional achievements. During his six-year tenure, Nkrumah conferred the honour only once, on Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, underscoring its exclusivity and significance.
In contrast, recent administrations have adopted a more liberal approach, frequently honouring appointees such as ministers and officials. This trend, Kwaku Azar warns, risks politicizing the awards and diluting their value.
Arguments for and against Honoring Appointees
Proponents argue that recognizing appointees can affirm their dedication and inspire excellence in public service.
Acknowledging Service: Appointees, including ministers, work under immense pressure and make significant contributions to national development.
Setting Benchmarks: Honoring exemplary appointees sets standards for others to follow.
Motivational Tool: Awards tied to measurable achievements can incentivize better performance.
Celebrating Milestones: Public recognition of transformative accomplishments can foster national unity and pride.
However, critics contend that such awards can undermine the credibility of the honours system:
Perceived Bias: As the appointing authority, presidents may appear partial, raising questions about fairness.
Erosion of Credibility: Awards to appointees risk being seen as self-congratulatory or acts of political patronage.
Diminished Prestige: National awards have traditionally celebrated achievements outside of government, and extending them to appointees may dilute their significance.
Alternative Recognition: Appointees already benefit from influence, visibility, and resources. Other forms of acknowledgement may suffice.
Proposed Reforms
Kwaku Azar suggests reforms to restore trust and transparency in the national honours system:
Formalized Criteria: Awards should be tied to measurable achievements that significantly impact the nation.
Independent Oversight: An independent body should assess nominations to eliminate executive influence and maintain impartiality.
Restricting Appointee Awards: Honors for appointees should be limited to exceptional cases where achievements exceed their official duties.
Alternative Recognition: Commendations or public acknowledgements can celebrate contributions without undermining the sanctity of national awards.
Safeguarding National Integrity
Kwaku Azar concludes that while it is not inherently improper for presidents to honour appointees, such decisions must prioritize transparency, fairness, and the original purpose of national awards. “Safeguarding the prestige of these honours and maintaining public trust in governance should always take precedence,” he emphasized.
The call for reforms comes as Ghanaians continue to debate the future of the country’s honours system, with many urging a return to its foundational principles of celebrating truly extraordinary achievements.
Ghananewsonline
